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Premier League Preview: Manchester City - Bolton Wanderers
City looking to bounce back from Hull disappointment...
8 Feb 2010 19:19:00
By James Daly
Kick-off: Tuesday, February 9, 2010. 19:45 GMT
Eastlands, Manchester
Manchester City learned the hard way that money doesn't buy you everything, with a 2-1 defeat at Hull City at the weekend.
It leaves Roberto Mancini's men three points off fourth spot, but they have a chance to redeem themselves with the visit of Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
Owen Coyle's team have their eyes on the other end of the table, as they lie just one point precariously over the relegation zone, but have a game in hand on their rivals. A visit to Eastlands, though, could not have come at a worse time.
City haven't lost at home this season, a feat only matched by table-toppers Chelsea, and have won eight of their 11 games at Eastlands.
Bolton's away form won't give Trotters fans much hope either, having won just twice away from home all season.
And Coyle will not like the view up the table as Burnley, the side he left to join Bolton, leapfrogged his side with a win against West Ham on Saturday.
Form aside, City have shown they struggle against teams who play a tough game, and that is where Bolton could play their way to a result. Even just a point would be a good return for Coyle's men.
FORM
Manchester City
Jan 19: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (League Cup)
Jan 24: Scunthorpe 2-4 Manchester City (FA Cup)
Jan 27: Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City (League Cup)
Jan 31: Manchester City 2-0 Portsmouth
Feb 6: Hull City 2-1 Manchester City
Bolton
Jan 20: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton
Jan 23: Bolton 2-0 Sheffield United (FA Cup)
Jan 26: Bolton 1-0 Burnley
Jan 30: Liverpool 2-0 Bolton
Feb 6: Bolton 0-0 Fulham
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Mancini, the victim of some terrible injury luck, particularly at the back, will welcome back a host of defenders for Bolton's visit. Joleon Lescott (knee), Vincent Kompany (thigh) and Micah Richards (calf) are all hoping to be in contention.
Wayne Bridge sustained a head injury at Hull on Saturday but expects the stitches to keep him together for the visit of Owen Coyle's men.
Craig Bellamy, however, will miss out thanks to a knee injury, but fellow forward Roque Santa Cruz will be welcomed back by City following a calf strain.
Last starting XI (v Hull City): Given, Toure, Bridge, Zabaleta, Boyata, de Jong, Barry , Ireland, Bellamy, Adebayor , Tevez.
Bolton
Gary Cahill's blood clot in his arm will keep him out of the match, while Gavin McCann is also unavailable after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.
However, Coyle has been boosted with the return to fitness of Andy O'Brien and Gretar Steinsson and he expects both to be available for selection on Tuesday evening.
O'Brien limped off halfway through the second half against Fulham while Steinsson was ruled out shortly before kick-off through illness.
Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere is also expected to start, after being an unused sub in his first two games for Bolton.
Last starting XI (v Fulham): Jaaskelainen, Knight, Andy O'Brien, Robinson, Ricketts, Cohen, Mark Davies, Muamba, Taylor, Lee, Kevin Davies.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City - Emmanuel Adebayor
After the horrors of the African Cup of Nations, where Adebayor and his Togo team-mates were fired upon by Cabindan terrorists, the striker has commendably got back on with life at Eastlands with grace and maturity.
Two goals in two games since his return signals his importance to the team and he will fancy his chances against relegation threatened Bolton on Tuesday.
Bolton - Jack Wilshere
Should Owen Coyle decide to hand the 18-year-old his first start since arriving on loan from Arsenal, the Trotters fans might finally get to see why Arsene Wenger hails his young prodigy so highly.
And the youngster will be keen to prove himself against a defence that are known to be generous at times.
PREDICTION
City's home form and desire to get back into the top four should prove enough to see of a robust, but low-on-confidence Bolton side.
If Adebayor and Martin Petrov find their form, Bolton could be in for a torrid evening.
Manchester City 3-1 Bolton Wanderers
Eastlands, Manchester
Manchester City learned the hard way that money doesn't buy you everything, with a 2-1 defeat at Hull City at the weekend.
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It leaves Roberto Mancini's men three points off fourth spot, but they have a chance to redeem themselves with the visit of Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
Owen Coyle's team have their eyes on the other end of the table, as they lie just one point precariously over the relegation zone, but have a game in hand on their rivals. A visit to Eastlands, though, could not have come at a worse time.
City haven't lost at home this season, a feat only matched by table-toppers Chelsea, and have won eight of their 11 games at Eastlands.
Bolton's away form won't give Trotters fans much hope either, having won just twice away from home all season.
And Coyle will not like the view up the table as Burnley, the side he left to join Bolton, leapfrogged his side with a win against West Ham on Saturday.
Form aside, City have shown they struggle against teams who play a tough game, and that is where Bolton could play their way to a result. Even just a point would be a good return for Coyle's men.
FORM
Manchester City
Jan 19: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (League Cup)
Jan 24: Scunthorpe 2-4 Manchester City (FA Cup)
Jan 27: Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City (League Cup)
Jan 31: Manchester City 2-0 Portsmouth
Feb 6: Hull City 2-1 Manchester City
Bolton
Jan 20: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton
Jan 23: Bolton 2-0 Sheffield United (FA Cup)
Jan 26: Bolton 1-0 Burnley
Jan 30: Liverpool 2-0 Bolton
Feb 6: Bolton 0-0 Fulham
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Mancini, the victim of some terrible injury luck, particularly at the back, will welcome back a host of defenders for Bolton's visit. Joleon Lescott (knee), Vincent Kompany (thigh) and Micah Richards (calf) are all hoping to be in contention.
Wayne Bridge sustained a head injury at Hull on Saturday but expects the stitches to keep him together for the visit of Owen Coyle's men.
Craig Bellamy, however, will miss out thanks to a knee injury, but fellow forward Roque Santa Cruz will be welcomed back by City following a calf strain.
Last starting XI (v Hull City): Given, Toure, Bridge, Zabaleta, Boyata, de Jong, Barry , Ireland, Bellamy, Adebayor , Tevez.
Bolton
Gary Cahill's blood clot in his arm will keep him out of the match, while Gavin McCann is also unavailable after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.
However, Coyle has been boosted with the return to fitness of Andy O'Brien and Gretar Steinsson and he expects both to be available for selection on Tuesday evening.
O'Brien limped off halfway through the second half against Fulham while Steinsson was ruled out shortly before kick-off through illness.
Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere is also expected to start, after being an unused sub in his first two games for Bolton.
Last starting XI (v Fulham): Jaaskelainen, Knight, Andy O'Brien, Robinson, Ricketts, Cohen, Mark Davies, Muamba, Taylor, Lee, Kevin Davies.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City - Emmanuel Adebayor
After the horrors of the African Cup of Nations, where Adebayor and his Togo team-mates were fired upon by Cabindan terrorists, the striker has commendably got back on with life at Eastlands with grace and maturity.
Two goals in two games since his return signals his importance to the team and he will fancy his chances against relegation threatened Bolton on Tuesday.
Bolton - Jack Wilshere
Should Owen Coyle decide to hand the 18-year-old his first start since arriving on loan from Arsenal, the Trotters fans might finally get to see why Arsene Wenger hails his young prodigy so highly.
And the youngster will be keen to prove himself against a defence that are known to be generous at times.
PREDICTION
City's home form and desire to get back into the top four should prove enough to see of a robust, but low-on-confidence Bolton side.
If Adebayor and Martin Petrov find their form, Bolton could be in for a torrid evening.
Manchester City 3-1 Bolton Wanderers
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